MOTH ATTACK 2012 KIT PRE-ORDER
One of LA’s finest steel frame builders, Megan Dean just revealed the new Moth Attack kits up on Flickr and they are looking nice.
Pre-order yours from Voler before March 18th.
the world is my velodrome.
Showing posts tagged gear
One of LA’s finest steel frame builders, Megan Dean just revealed the new Moth Attack kits up on Flickr and they are looking nice.
Pre-order yours from Voler before March 18th.
2012 GEAR GUIDE: CHICAGO VELO CAMPUS BAG
I love backpacks and whenever I see one I’m always like “ooh I need that” but then I’m like “oh nevermind” when I realize I already got a bunch of backpacks. But here’s one that’s so cool, I just have to get it no matter what.
The Chicago Velo Campus Race Day Backpack is designed for the racer on the go and it’s loaded with many awesome features. Of course there’s the padded mesh back, a main compartment for clean clothes, a padded laptop sleeve (which can also hold a track tote) and little pockets for personal stuff like keys and cards. On top of that, there are lots of original features designed to organize your race day including an insulated water bottle compartment with spaces for 4 bottles, expandable and ventilated compartments for shoes and a large expandable pocket to fit a helmet (aero or regular). There’s even a detachable “changing mat” integrated into the backpack to help keep your shoes and socks clean.
The track version comes with a track tote to organize all your chainrings, cogs and tools all for $180. The road version is just the backpack and that goes for $150. The best part is that all proceeds go directly to developing the Chicago Velo Campus — and we all want to see that dream become a reality.
2012 GEAR GUIDE: ENGINE NO. 11 RTG CASE
Well this neat little accessory is not necessarily for the track but it most certainly is genius. Ever go on a long training ride and the only place to keep your personal belongings (cell phone, cash and cards) is a jersey pocket that gets soaked with sweat through the course of the ride? The current solution I commonly see people using is a plastic ziplock bag. But ziplock bags rip easily, don’t last long, aren’t very environmentally friendly and they’re difficult to handle once they’re all slippery with sweat — not to mention they just don’t look cool.
That’s why Kevin Kang from Engine No. 11 and Brad Adams from Roadrunner Bags put their heads together and developed the Ready To Go Case. It’s basically a wallet for riding. The case has two pockets — one for a mobile phone and one for cards and cash. The tri-fold system makes the case water resistant and the velcro closures provide quick and easy access. Of course one of the coolest features is that it’s handmade by Brad out of mostly recycled materials (like all Roadrunner Bags).
Brad gave me one of these wallets over the weekend and I gotta say I’m really loving it. A simple design which looks great and really functional. The RTG Case will be available soon through Engine No. 11 and Stryker LA.
2012 GEAR GUIDE: SWRVE FULL FINGERED GLOVES
Those already familiar with Swrve Cycling know that they produce some of the best urban cycling apparel available. One of their latest offerings is this pair of full-fingered gloves inspired by gloves worn by professional Keirin racers. The gloves are primarily designed for riding in city traffic but we know these badass bitches are just right for the intensity of track racing. Features include a Kevlar skid patch, passive venting to keep the fingers cool, conductive fingertips (for touchscreen junkies who can’t wait a few extra seconds to remove the gloves before checking their F’book) and of course the carbon knuckle guard to protect your hands.
The gloves are available in two different materials — classic leather ($75) or vegan-friendly synthetic leather ($35) — and are available at Swrve Cycling.
2012 GEAR GUIDE: VAR CHAINRING BOLT TOOL
Everyone knows that gear changes are a must during a day full of track racing. We’ve been racing with bloody knuckles for so long, I can’t believe that I’ve never seen a tool like this before. This chainring bolt tool from VAR Tools is the perfect thing to help with those quick gear swaps on the infield.
There are two different versions available — the PE-35200 is the classic version and the PE-35500 is the new version which can switch between a Campy Torx head and a traditional allen key head. Since the VAR Tools website is in French, the real trick is figuring out how to order one of these things but you can take a gander at their catalog in English.
Photos taken by Cycling WMD.
2012 GEAR GUIDE: BIANCHI x GUCCI HELMET
See, track racing is so hot right now that even Gucci is getting in on the game. This Bianchi collabo helmet obviously takes its cues from pista helmets commonly seen on the velodrome. The polycarbonate (plastic) helmet comes in two sizes with a mirrored visor, luxurious leather straps and the trademark Gucci stripes on a black or a white base. If you feel like flossin’ up like a bigass spender at the next local track meet, this domepiece will set you back $890 at the Gucci store. Bling!
But we all know only basic bitches wear that shit so if you don’t don’t wanna bother, try showing some love for an up-and-coming velodrome and get a carbon Casco Warp 1501 for next season. At $310, it’s pretty much a third the price of the Gucci lid, all proceeds go to the development of the Chicago Velo Campus and the Casco is actually designed for track racing (looks cooler too).
2012 GEAR GUIDE: PREDATOR CUSTOM TK1 BAR
This has to be one of the coolest new track products available. Predator Cycling has taken their trademark “Major” Handlebar system and applied it to the integrated stem of the Felt TK1. The result is a fully customized integrated bar and stem system and when combined with a world-class frame like the TK1, there’s no topping it.
Pictured above is the Predator Cycling’s first bar for the TK1 which is custom made for Cody O’Reilly. Since I stop by the shop all the time, I’ve witnessed this bar’s construction process square one (yes, they are made by hand in a little shop in Santa Monica). The final product is STIFF — just look at how beefy that joint is! On this particular model, the tops of the bends have been squared for use in Cody’s main event, the Madison. I heard a rumor that Kevin Mansker will be getting a custom sprint handlebar next so we might be seeing these puppies in action at the World Championships next year.
Check out more details of the TK1 Major at Predator Cycling.
2012 GEAR GUIDE: AMERICAN-MADE VELOCITY RIMS
Velocity announced this week that they will be moving production from Australia to the good ol’ U.S. of A. This is pretty big news considering that (as of February 2012) Velocity rims will be the ONLY aluminum rims made in America. I’m stoked to get a pair of U.S.-made A23’s!
From Velocity’s press release:
« Tom Black, the founder of Velocity, will be relocating from Australia to Florida where he will continue to oversee rim production at Velocitys new manufacturing factory. Velocitys distribution center will continue to operate out of Grand Rapids, Michigan as it has since 1992 and become their worldwide headquarters; with the Australian facility remaining as a distribution center for the Asian and Australian markets. »
Photo taken from Prolly.
2012 GEAR GUIDE: AFFINITY CRANKSET
The end of the year is the best time for bike upgrades! For the next few weeks, I’ll feature some of the new products coming out that’ll help you fly around the banks next season.
Affinity Cycles just announced their new fully CNC-machined track cranks and chainrings. These pretty little things come polished in silver or black and pay homage to classic pista cranksets. The best part is somehow they managed to make this crankset completely affordable at $175 for the cranks, chainring and a Truvativ bottom bracket!
Order yours now from the Affinity store and check out more details HERE.
